‘Nashville’ Is Searching for a New Character

Season 5 of Nashville is set to premiere on Jan. 5 -- and there will be a new face on the show during the upcoming season. CMT has put out a nationwide casting call for Clay, a new major character who is sure to stir things up on the show.

In their continuous quest to expand the musical range of the series, Nashville's writers have created Clay to focus on more traditional elements such as bluegrass, highlighting the very roots of country music. The casting call for the new character describes a 21-to-26-year-old African-American male who is committed to becoming a star in Nashville.

"He is a creative, self-aware, highly motivated young man who suffers intense mood swings, but is nonetheless charming and outgoing," explains the official role sheet for the character of Clay. "His musical style is eclectic, with modern elements, but also nods to roots Black music, bluegrass and even classic country."

Nashville executives are also looking for someone with "a great singing voice," who can play either guitar or keyboard. Clay's musical influences may be different from other characters on the show, but it looks as though his level of ambition will fit in perfectly with the rest of the group -- and is sure to increase the drama.

Following ABC’s cancellation of the TV drama in mid-May, and thanks in part to fan demand, CMT picked up Nashville for a fifth season in early June. Nashville will be broadcast and streamed on CMT, and also streamed on Hulu, which currently carries the show’s previous seasons.